Category Archives: Chesterfield

Shrimps’ bag second away win by Danny Milligan

Morecambe secured their first win of 2009 at Chesterfield’s Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Second half goals from Rene Howe and Craig Stanley were enough to give the Shrimps’ three points.

Michael Twiss volleyed over in the third minute for the Shrimps’ but it was a poor first half with both teams unable to create any substantial chances.

The second half started brightly and a Shrimps’ break on 54 minutes saw Howe open the scoring with a diving header at the back post, courtesy of a Fraser McLachlan cross.

But Chesterfield responded immediately with Martin Gritton picking up a Jack Lester pass and striking the ball past Barry Roche in the Morecambe goal.

Morecambe re-gained their advantage after 67 minutes, a Neil Wainwright cross from the left found Stanley on his own in the box, the midfielder side-footing the ball past Spireites’ keeper Tommy Lee.

Matty Blinkhorn and Twiss also had good chances as Chesterfield pressed, but both blasted over the bar.

Ex-Chesterfield and current Morecambe keeper Barry Roche spoke to me after the game.

He said: “It was very strange playing back at my old ground today. I have looked forward to this game all season.

“Against Gillingham last week we were really poor but we have worked hard all this week and it has paid off.

“The goals we scored today reflected the work we have done in training, getting the ball wide and into the box.

“We don’t score enough goals and we can’t keep relying on Rene (Howe) but today will give us a big boost”.

*Chesterfield’s loss has also raised questions over manager Lee Richardson’s future at the club. What are your views? Should he walk or are managers in lower leagues taking the blame for players lack of effort or commitment?

Mid-table battle – Would these two sides have imagined this game a few years ago?

Two seasons ago, in League 1, 5th placed Chesterfield travelled to Vale Park to tackle the league leaders writes Demetri Loizou. Port Vale emerged as 3-2 winners that day, but since then, both clubs have deteriorated considerably.

Port Vale managed to finish 12th that season, 13 points ahead of relegated Spireites, but relegation followed the Valiants a year after, slumping to a disappointing 38 points total, 22 points worse off than the season that preceded it. Vale have found life in League 2 harder than expected. Dissatisfied Vale fans have seen the joint-second worst home defence in the league let 19 goals in at Vale Park already this season.

Chesterfield visit Staffordshire without a league win since that club record-breaking night at Exeter, when the Spireites recorded an emphatic 6-1 victory over the Grecians. The Blues currently have no win at all in six, although they came close on Tuesday night (being twenty minutes away from the final whistle at Droylsden, 2-0 up before the floodlights intervened in those controversial affairs).

This weekend’s visitors have not kept a clean sheet since 6th September, and not away from home since the second game of the season at Grimsby. Chesterfield have scored the most goals away from home in this league, and are up against (as previously mentioned) the joint-second worst home defence.

Both sides are horrific form, with Port Vale just nicking it after beating Grimsby(which in fairness isn’t much of a feat this season).

Again, Chesterfield’s dynamic, diminutive front two dominate the head-to-head scorers’ list, combining to contribute twenty-six goals to The Spireites’ cause. Lester & Darren Currie did score in midweek, but they were discounted due to the subsequent abandonment at Droylsden.

Anyon & Richman are both ruled out for Vale so Martin and Griffith set to replace them. A few more changes are expected after a disappointing defeat to Bury.

Lee expected to retain his place in goal, midfielders Kerry and Winter both suspended, so Harsley is set to return to Vale Park this weekend. Goodall is also suspended, leaving little choice for Richardson but to leave Robertson in the side.

Two troubled clubs looking for a break – who will emerge victorious? If Chesterfield lose is Richardson out? Can Dean Glover go somewhere towards redeeming Vale’s season with a win today? I honestly can not predict what will happen in this encounter.

After dismissing Shrewsbury Town in the first round, they have squeezed past Bournemouth in the second. It took a replay, and a last minute goal, but now they are rewarded with a home tie against Blackburn Rovers, and who would bet against them causing the struggling Premier League side trouble?

The winner came from substitute Ged Dalton, who amazingly does not even train with the Spartans! But the game-changing moment was Brett Pitman’s straight red halfway through the second period. Either way, it’s the non-league side that are through to the third round.

And Chesterfield were frustrated again at Blue Square North side Droylsden. The Spireites were 2-0 up thanks to goals from Jack Lester and Darren Currie, but the game was sensationally abadoned for the second time, due to floodlight failure. And struggling manager Lee Richardson was, shall we say, less than impressed.

So the results leaves just three League 2 sides left in the competition. Chesterfield obviously still have a second round tie to get past, but Gillingham face Premier League side Aston Villa at home, while Macclesfield also face a team from the top-flight in Everton.

There are increasing rumours from around the league that the boards of Chesterfield and Notts County are becoming increasingly frustrated with their managers.

Chesterfield are languishing in mid-table, despite having pre-season hopes of at least a play-off place. And Lee Richardson is under pressure from the fans, who believe with the talent at his disposure, they should be battling for promotion. A dissapointing result at home to Macclesfield on Friday night means he really needs a result at Port Vale on Saturday. What price could you get on him getting the sack if they lose the 4th replay against Droylsden, a decent shout in my eyes.

Notts County boss Ian McParland has also been under pressure from Magpie supporters. The Nottingham club has lost 4 out of the last 6 games, and lie down the table in 16th place.

So what do you think? Who will be the first manager to face the sack, or will neither of them go?

Chesterfield midfielder Derek Niven (below, right) has undergone treatment for testicular cancer. He had surgery last week to remove a tumour he had discovered.

At just 24 years old, it comes as a shock to us all. Niven joined the Spireites from Bolton 5 years ago, and has gone on to make 199 appearances. He becomes the second high-profile footballer recently to be diagnosed, with Geoff Horsfield battling the disease.

We at League2Online would like to join everyone in wishing Derek a speedy recovery.

Spireites come back from two goals down to match a potent Shrews, writes Demetri Loizou.

Holt netted both Shrewsbury goals

Shewsbury controlled the first-half at Saltergate, with Chris Humphrey’s pace causing Chesterfield problems down the right wing. And in the fourth minute of three added on, Grant Holt was fouled by Chesterfield skipper Robert Page in the box. Holt converted, and his goal was soon followed by the half-time whistle. It was devastating for the Spireites to go into the break a goal down, after defending so well for most of the half.

Nine minutes after the break, Grant Holt added to Shrewsbury’s lead. After ripping open the home side’s defence, the ball emerged to Holt who had no trouble in smashing the top corner of Trevor Carson’s goal.

Shrewsbury looked like finally ending their away-day hoodoo, until former Shrew, Darren Currie entered the fray. This was an unlikely stroke of brilliance from manager Lee Richardson, as Currie netted his second Chesterfield goal just eight minutes after coming on. It was a horrible mistake by Shrews keeper Glynn Garner, and it started a Chesterfield comeback.

Four minutes later, centre-half Michael Jackson chopped Jack Lester en-route to goal and a penalty was given. The foul could have merited a red card, as Jackson was arguably the last man, but a yellow was deemed sufficient.

Jamie Ward converted from the spot to put the Spireites on level terms and suddenly it looked like Shrewsbury could lose the game. They came under a barrage of pressure, as two more penalty shouts were turned down. However, they were resolute enough to come away with a point.